Enjoy this N.J.-based Rutgers-Seton Hall rivalry while it lasts in its current form

10:50 PM,
Feb. 12, 2013

Seton Hall's Aaron Cosby and Rutgers' Mike Poole scramble for a loose ball during the first half.

Written by

Stephen Edelson
| Commentary

A golden age it is not for this Turnpike rivalry, as Rutgers and Seton Hall find themselves mired near the bottom of the Big East standings, having combined to lose 11 straight heading into Tuesday night's game at the RAC.

And until the final few minutes, it was pretty easy to dismiss this twice-annual get-together as irrelevant, before the Scarlet Knights hung on gamely for a 57-55 victory in front of 5,803, exactly 800 fans fewer than last year's game here.

But while this was not the tape you throw in the time capsule, these home-and-home showdowns still matter, with the 23 miles that separate ...